Shah panel begins hearing in Odisha

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Last Updated: Wed, Feb 27, 2013 14:20 hrs

Bhubaneswar, Feb 27 (IANS) The Justice M.B. Shah Commission, which is investigating illegal mining in different states, started its hearing in Odisha again as part of its ongoing probe, an official said Wednesday.

The commission had asked over two dozen of mining lease holders to put forth their views on various issues on the first day of the hearing. The hearing started in a good environment, state mines department director Deepak Kumar Mohanty told IANS.

The Shah Commission, appointed by the union government in November 2010, has been investigating allegations of illegal mining in several mineral-rich states.

Retired Justice Shah has come to the state for the second time after December 2011. At that time, he said the commission had found evidence of illegalities which would not have been possible without the connivance of bureaucrats.

Commission representatives subsequently visited the state in October and November 2012 and examined files related to over 100 mines.

The latest phase of hearing is likely to continue for three-four days as more than a 100 mining lease holders, including some state companies, are expected to put forth their views before the panel.